Helpful Tip #5: Need Pizza?

Nice Slice or Antonios. Ah, this age old query. Some people swear by one, some people will only go to the other. Personally, I’m an Antonio’s bear, but I’ve been met with some weird looks for saying that. Let’s review what makes each place great, and I welcome you to weight in! 

  • Taste: Okay, obviously this is a very subjective fact, but Antonio’s, in my opinion, wins here. I know Nice Slice is often touted as providing “authentic NY style pizza”, but trust me. This bear has lived in NY. It’s not. Antonio’s, however, is amazing. Not New York good, but damn good nonetheless. 
  • Special Plugs: Nice Slice offers some cool things, like gluten free and vegan pizza and a wider drink variety, but Antonio’s has dollar slice at midnight and some really random topping options. How can you beat that?
  • Atmosphere: Antonio’s is sort of a shithole in this regard. If you’re look for a cool vibe, Nice Slice, with it’s crazy murals, cool displays, and marijuana-promoting decor, is probably the place for you. Also, the music at Antonio’s is frequently terrible; it’s relationship with the mexican place it shares the building with means you’re listening to shitty latin music quite often.
  • Comfort: If you’re willing to be basically sitting on top of other people during busy time, Nice Slice is the place to go. It’s generally pretty easy to find seating at Antonio’s though, since it’s a fair deal larger. Also, I tend to find that the servers at Antonio’s are a lot friendlier. 

And then, of course, there’s the Gate. And Ratty pizza, but god knows you don’t want that.

Bottom line, if you’re looking for a funky atmosphere and you have dietary restrictions: Nice Slice. If you want damn good pizza, the feeling you’re in an actual pizza place and not a weird, alternative bar, and dollar slice pizza: Antonios.

What’s your favorite place to grab a slice?

Helpful Tip #4: Need Cheap Books?

  1. The golden rule: NEVER GO TO THE BOOKSTORE. EVER. IT’S JUST A BAD IDEA. They overcharge for everything there.
  2. Amazon is your friend. If you don’t have a prime account, either find a friend who does or get one, and reap the free shipping benefits. They also have good links to used book sellers. Sometimes you can get books for about 5 cents.
  3. Try renting online. I got a textbook from bookrenter.com and they actually gave me a full month to return it, money back. It was a lot cheaper than buying it used, so if you don’t need to keep the book, this is a good option (especially if you can get that month long guarantee and you’re on the fence about your classes.
  4. Get books on reserve through OCRA. Most people don’t do this, since it’s not fool-proof and you can’t write in your books, but if you’re really pressed for cash, it’s a good option.
  5. Try finding free books on PDF using google. If you’re in a class that reads classic literature, this is legitimately an option since the copyright is expired on many of those books.

Helpful Tip #3: Need Lunch?

It’s 12 pm. You just got out of your hour and a half long lecture (which you spent on facebook), and now you’re starving. Where do you go?

  • If you’re one of those idiots on the minimal points plans, I guess the V Dub is your best bet. There’s pretty much ALWAYS better food here, and on Fridays you get the luxury of Chicken Fingers. Yum.
  • For you smarties on the flex plans, however, go down to the Ivy Room at least once a week. The prices are a little steep and they don’t accept meal credits during the day, but the food here is by far the best on campus. The reason for the pricey meals is to keep it faculty only down here, but you can’t keep me out. My pick: Grilled Cheese and Curly Fries, or a Hot Waterman with Cranberry Mayo. Be sure to check out the dessert fridge as well - it’s like Ratty dessert only ten times better. 
  • Another note on the Ivy Room: They have a really great deal where you get curly fries and a soda for a much lower price than if you get them separately. Make sure the cashier rings you up properly for that (usually it’s Jose, much to everyone’s joy).
  • If neither of these are to your liking, you can always try using cash at the meal trucks around campus. Mama Kims is always great for those of you Korean food lovers.
  • Never overlook the library carts. They’re all over the place (the Sci Li, Barus and Holley, and the Rock, which pretty much covers all corners of campus) and they’re great for grabbing a snack, especially since there’s usually no line. I usually get the Jumbo Croissant, a Tropicana, or a muffin. I’ve heard the sandwiches at the Sci Li are pretty good too.

Helpful Tip #2: Need Free Laundry?

Okay, here’s how it works:

  1. Go to the laundry machine with something that can be used for leverage. A sturdy metal fork or a screwdriver will work well.
  2. Assuming you are standing in front of the machine, place your leverage device in the crack between the little rectangle-shaped lid on the back right of the machine. The leverage should go on the right side towards the back. Try to lift the lid as far as possible.
  3. Eventually it will say “DAS” on the screen of the machine. Press the button on the bottom far right, until it changes to a very full screen that says 88:88. 
  4. Then press the button on the bottom far left until the screen changes. 
  5. Open the door of the machine and slam it shut.
  6. Select your cycle, put in your detergent, and voila! Clean clothes!

Helpful Tip #1: Need Laundry Quarters?

Unfortunately Brown won’t be letting us put money on our cards for laundry via online methods until next semester. Thus, unless you want to scour campus for a rare working CDC machine, you’re using quarters. Here are some methods for getting quarters, if you’re all out.

  • Go to Nice Slice. Most of the stores on Thayer are unwilling to change dollars to quarters, but for some reason Nice Slice will.
  • Try the Campus Market or one of the other places with student cashiers during a slow time. If they have quarters, they’ll probably be willing to change your smaller coins or dollars for you. Extra likely if you’re friends with cashier.
  • If you have a decent bank that doesn’t charge you for in-person transactions (if you have the e-banking account with Bank of America, you will be charge for this), they’ll let you take out rolls of quarters instead of dollars.
  • Sometimes messing around with the vending machines outside the Vdub and in campus center will allow you to put in a dollar, ask for change, and receive quarters. Never try this in Keeney. The machines eat your money.
  • Beg, borrow, and scrounge: friends may have some and if you spend enough time looking at the ground, a quarter is sure to show up.